Chapter 23: The Duel of Twin Blades

Lin Wanqing hesitated for a moment before whispering, "Very well, as you wish."

Lu Xingchen grinned and turned to face Hu Junfeng. "Brother Hu, let us begin!"

Lin Wanqing hopped off the arena stage.

"The match begins!"

Lu Xingchen drew his Shadow Sword and unleashed a strike. Hu Junfeng parried with his own Spirit-Transforming Sword, engaging Lu Xingchen in a fierce clash. As their blades collided, Lu Xingchen immediately sensed trouble. Hu Junfeng’s Spirit-Transforming Sword was of a high-grade Profound tier, a level above his own weapon. Naturally, his "Spirit-Transforming Sword Art" was of the same high-grade Profound tier.

In his previous battles, Lu Xingchen’s opponents had been ordinary, and he could suppress them simply by relying on his Profound-tier artifact. But now, he found himself on the defensive. More importantly, he discovered the peculiar property of the Spirit-Transforming Sword: whenever the battle energy he channeled into his Shadow Sword touched the opposing blade, a portion of it simply vanished—about thirty percent. In essence, he could only utilize seventy percent of his combat power. Relying on his "Powerful Strike," "Berserk," and "Blade" talents, Lu Xingchen barely managed to hold his own.

Hu Junfeng, meanwhile, grew increasingly alarmed. Facing his romantic rival, he had no intention of holding back; he had gone all out from the start, even employing the power of spirit transformation, aiming to crush Lu Xingchen as quickly as possible. Yet, even so, he could not defeat him.

The spectators below were stunned. "Damn, Brother Hu didn’t manage to take him down?"

"Looking at it, they’re trading blows back and forth!"

"How is this possible? Brother Hu is a Holy Son of the Lingxiao Sect. Even if he suppressed his cultivation level, he shouldn't be failing to take down a new disciple."

"Brother Hu must be holding back; otherwise, it wouldn't be this tight."

Within a minute, the two had exchanged over a hundred strikes, yet neither gained the upper hand. Lu Xingchen deliberately provoked him: "Is that all you’ve got, Brother Hu?"

Hu Junfeng’s expression darkened. Being unable to defeat Lu Xingchen after so long was a blow to his pride.

"Splitting Light and Fleeting Shadow!" Hu Junfeng roared. He raised his Spirit-Transforming Sword high, and as pale cyan energy surged, dozens of swords manifested from the energy above his head. "Go!"

The dozens of swords whistled toward Lu Xingchen. He hurriedly raised his blade, moving with lightning speed to weave a defensive circle around himself. As the energy swords collided with the Shadow Sword, he felt his own energy being rapidly depleted by their dampening effect. Still, he managed to deflect them.

Hu Junfeng raised an eyebrow and lifted his blade once more, quickly forming over a hundred energy swords.

Lu Xingchen thought to himself, *This cannot be blocked head-on.* If he kept resisting, his energy would be drained completely, leaving him unable to unleash his ultimate move. Just as the projectiles were about to strike, he activated the Shadow Sword’s ability, instantly teleporting ten meters away. To his surprise, the energy swords could turn in mid-air!

As soon as Lu Xingchen teleported, Hu Junfeng steered the floating blades toward his new position. Lu Xingchen teleported again. Since his teleportation ability consumed no energy, while Hu Junfeng’s control of the flying swords certainly did, he was playing a winning game. Besides, he didn't believe Hu Junfeng could maintain the technique forever.

Finally, after Lu Xingchen’s third teleportation, the energy swords grew faint and dissipated into nothingness.

Lu Xingchen chuckled. "It seems my 'Shadow Sword Art' is more practical than your 'Spirit-Transforming Sword Art.'"

Hu Junfeng snorted. "Mere devious tricks. I have already discerned the pattern of your displacement; the same tactic will not work twice."

"Then come and try!"

Hu Junfeng activated "Splitting Light and Fleeting Shadow" once more. However, Lu Xingchen’s technique was superior. Even with Hu Junfeng’s predictions, he managed to find gaps to dodge perfectly. For a moment, Hu Junfeng was truly at a loss.

As Hu Junfeng charged up his next attack, Lu Xingchen actively moved toward him, slashing forward. Hu Junfeng felt a surge of joy. *If you kept dodging, I truly couldn't catch you, but since you’ve delivered yourself to me, I won't be polite!*

The dozens of swords coalesced into one massive blade, which lunged at Lu Xingchen. Lu Xingchen showed no fear and activated "Jade Shatter." Half of the energy in his body vanished instantly, traded for a threefold increase in damage. His Shadow Sword cleaved Hu Junfeng’s giant energy blade in two and continued, unabated, toward Hu Junfeng’s chest.

Hu Junfeng hurriedly raised his sword to block, but the force sent him flying backward, knocking him out of the arena.

The spectators were silent for a moment before a roar of shock erupted.

"My god, Brother Hu actually lost!"

"How is this possible?"

"I can't even withstand a single strike from Brother Hu, yet Lu Xingchen held on for so long and even countered?"

"Incredible, simply incredible."

Hu Junfeng performed a backflip just before hitting the ground, landing gracefully, but his eyes were as deep and cold as still water. *I lost to Lu Xingchen? Even if I suppressed my cultivation, I have still practiced for three years longer than him! And I lost just like that?*

Lu Xingchen sheathed his sword and bowed to Hu Junfeng. "Brother Hu, you have conceded."

Hu Junfeng’s brows were tightly knitted. His fists clenched and unclenched, but he did not renege on the outcome. "You won." Defeated in the match, he would not lose his honor.

[Congratulations to the host for completing the task: The Duel of Two Swords. The quality of "Shadow Sword Art" and the Shadow Sword has been upgraded to High-Grade Profound!]

Lu Xingchen was overjoyed. A high-grade Profound martial skill was a rarity even within the Lingxiao Sect; his combat power would surely soar from this day on!

Lin Wanqing rushed onto the stage, giving Lu Xingchen a bear hug. "Dazhuang, you were amazing!"

Lu Dazhuang chuckled. "Miss Wanqing, you can't go back on your word now."

"You fool, ever since I gave the Red Sun Sword to you, there has been no room in my heart for anyone else."

Hu Junfeng said in a low voice, "Lu Xingchen, I hope that the next time we cross blades, you can defeat me at my full strength, without me needing to suppress my cultivation." He was, indeed, still unconvinced.

Lu Xingchen met his gaze without a hint of fear. "That day will not be far off."

Hu Junfeng snorted, turned, and left the arena without another word. Lu Xingchen took Lin Wanqing and departed from the site of the commotion. Overnight, the news of the duel spread throughout the entire Lingxiao Sect, and everyone was left in awe of Lu Xingchen’s immense strength.